Lead Africa’s Innovation Future: Applications Open for the 2025–26 Foundry Fellowship. If you’re an African entrepreneur at a leadership crossroads, the 2025–26 Foundry Fellowship for African Entrepreneurs by the MIT Kuo Sharper Center for Prosperity and Entrepreneurship may be your next bold step forward. This selective, eight-month program is designed for experienced founders looking to expand their impact across Africa’s innovation ecosystems.
At its core, the Foundry Fellowship for African Entrepreneurs supports visionary entrepreneurs who have already scaled for-profit, innovation-driven ventures and are now aiming to shift into broader ecosystem leadership roles. Whether you’re launching an accelerator, starting a venture capital fund, expanding your startup across Africa, or transitioning into policy advocacy, this fellowship will give you the tools, network, and experiences needed to thrive.
Why Apply to the Foundry Fellowship?
Unlike typical accelerator programs, the Foundry Fellowship emphasizes systemic transformation, leadership development, and ecosystem building. Fellows will:
- Participate in MIT faculty-led coursework
- Engage in leadership seminars and peer-to-peer learning
- Join ecosystem tours across Africa and the U.S.
- Build enduring relationships with a tight-knit cohort of 10–15 peers
Furthermore, this is a unique opportunity to reimagine your leadership trajectory while gaining visibility and support from a global network committed to African prosperity.
Who Is Eligible?
You must :
- Be based in Africa
- Have founded and scaled an innovation-driven company
- Be ready to transition into a leadership role that supports innovation ecosystems
This could mean founding a support venture, expanding regionally with a focus on job creation, or influencing policy to drive change. Important Program Commitments at Foundry Fellowship for African Entrepreneurs
Participants must:
- Be fluent in English
- Attend all virtual and in-person sessions (including four ecosystem tours)
- Cover their transportation to and from tour locations
- Present actionable next steps to peers and fellowship supporters
Key Dates to Remember
- June 11 – Applications Open
- July 6 – Application Deadline
- October – Virtual Orientation
- November to May – Ecosystem Tours (Africa & U.S.)
Application Requirements
- Personal and professional details
- Essay responses
- A 2-minute video introduction
- Two letters of recommendation
- A professional resume
Apply here before July 6, 2025, and take your place among Foundry Fellowship for African Entrepreneurs’ future ecosystem leaders.
